Little Happenings in Life

Hong Kong Trip

2011-12-07T21:38:00.008+08:00

We are going Hong Kong from 9th to 13th May 2012 for shopping and food!

A short getaway after our wedding to relax ourselves before our honeymoon trip in the later part of the year!

I CAN'T WAIT!!

Our Love Nest

2011-10-14T10:10:00.010+08:00

Finally we have gotten the keys to our new flat after 3 years of waiting time!

We have been really busy finalizing the details with our contractor and shopping for furnitures, electrical appliances, curtains, lights and etc. We hope to finish everything before Chinese New Year next year so we will have ample time to further plan for our wedding.

Before are some photos of our new flat before renovation. I will do another blog post after everything is done!

P is for Prive

2011-09-17T13:52:00.009+08:00

Prive Restaurant- Marina at Keppel Bay

''Prive restaurant is located at Keppel Bay of the small Keppel Island, which is a not far away from Sentosa. It has ingeniously integrated an eatery – Prive the Restaurant, an outdoor watering hole – Prive Gastrobar and even a cafe called Prive Bakery Cafe in this waterfront food and beverage entertainment outlet.''

Perched on a private island, a cable-stayed bridge away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore, Prive offers a stunning view of the placid wharf with docked yachts dotting all over the little port.

The menu

My Seafood Linguine Aglio Olio with Prawns, Squid, Mussels, Garlic, Bird's Eye Chilli and Baby Spinach

Dear's N.Y Burger with 200g of Wagyu Patty, Melted English Chedder, Crispy Onions, Aioli, and Fries

Mango Charlotte

Carrot Cake and Ice Cafe Latte

Lovely photos to end the night~ ♥

I have been very busy lately with my work and studies, but I will spent some time to blog about my new flat and wedding preparation soon!

A is for Antoinette

2011-08-07T22:37:00.036+08:00

Antoinette is another gorgeous cafe housed in an old office building at Penhas Road, right beside Fragrance Hotel. It is only 5-10 minutes walk from Lavender MRT.

It was established by the Sugar Daddy Group, helmed by award winning pastry chef Pang Kok Keong (previously from Canele Patisserie). The cafe was named after the last queen of France and it offers classic French sweet and savoury treats.

If you are wondering who is chef Pang Kok Keong, click here!

The concept is primarily French and the entrance is the retail area followed by an arrangement of beautiful vintage re-upholstered of armchairs and coffee tables, a feature wall of painted brick decorated with ornate mirrors.

They serve a wide variety of food. They have pastries, cakes, macarons and chocolates as well as all day breakfast, starters, main courses, sandwiches, crepes and pancakes. They also serve homemade ice cream and their tea menu is rather extensive too!

Their napkins, tea cups, plates and every cutlery item was labeled with the Antoinette symbol - a classic gold letter “A”.

Ange de I'himalaya

Seafood Alio Olio - Mussels, scallops, squids, prawns cooked in white wine sauce with olive oil, chilli and Italian parsley

Concorde - Roasted chicken with bacon and creamy morel mushroom sauce served on the side

Antoinette - Milk chocolate mousse infused with earl grey tea, chocolate biscuit, raspberry coulis, and earl grey tea crumble.

It is their their signature cake and it is highly addictive!

Exotic

It is definitely worth another visit to try their other offerings and it is a great place to have tea session and sweets with the boyfriend or girlfriends!

And oh, they have also got another Antoinette boutique outlet located at 2nd level of Mandarin Gallery!

Terracotta Warriors and Swee Choon Dim Sum

2011-07-25T19:14:00.067+08:00

Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor and His Legacy

24 Jun 2011 - 16 Oct 2011

''The terracotta army buried near the tomb of the First Emperor of China is perhaps the most important archaeological discovery of our time. Unearthed in 1974 outside Xi’an, the thousands of pottery soldiers and horses are striking works of art that tell us a great deal about early China.''

''This exhibition features one hundred artefacts from Shaanxi province in China. Besides terracotta figures, the display contains important bronzes and jades from the Qin state before the time of the First Emperor, Shi Huangdi. The Han dynasty inherited the legacy of unified China, and charming terracotta figures from this later period show how the First Emperor’s tomb influenced later burials.''

''The exhibition highlights new interpretations and poses questions about what we really know of the remarkable terracotta army. Recent excavations have revealed a variety of objects, including painted warriors, acrobats meant to entertain the emperor, chariots and life-like birds. Many of these will be presented in the exhibition.''

''This is the first exhibition of the actual terracotta warriors to be held in Singapore, as well as the first presentation in Southeast Asia. This exhibition is organised by the Asian Civilisations Museum, in partnership with the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau and the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre, People’s Republic of China.''

http://www.acm.org.sg/

After which, we had our late dinner at Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant located at Jalan Besar. It is an establishment that has been around for almost 50 years and it offers a wide variety of Hong Kong and Shanghai dim sum.

http://www.sweechoon.com/

Weekend Brunch at Riders Cafe

2011-07-16T21:34:00.021+08:00

Saturday brunch with my usual peeps - Mei Fang, Wen Juan and Lina!

Tucked away at Bukit Timah Saddle Club, Rider’s Cafe is open to public and they are always so popular for their weekend brunches! It was great that Mei Fang had made reservations two weeks before!

http://www.riderscafe.sg/

The first thing that strikes me when I first step into Riders Cafe is the tranquil setting and the charming rustic ambience, completed with the occasional sight of horses trotting by. Though the cafe is non-airconditioned, they have high ceiling and ceiling fans which can help to ventilate the premises and we actually find it quite airy!

The menu is pretty simple and fuss free which I like because I always have the toughest time deciding what to have. Their starters and mains are all served at the same time, hot and perfectly cooked!

Though the cafe is located off the beaten track, it is definitely a great place to just kick back, relax and have a simple meal with the family or friends!

Wild Honey and TWG Tea Boutique

2011-06-25T16:23:00.020+08:00

Saturday brunch at Wild Honey with Mei Fang, Wen Juan and Lina!

Wide Honey is located at the 3rd floor of Mandarin Gallery. It accepts no reservation and queuing up for a seat or table can takes up to an hour during weekends.

Their menu is all written on the blackboard behind their counter and we have to order there and pay on the spot. After which, the food will be delivered to us. This cafe adopts a rather refreshing approach of offering breakfasts from different countries. You can choose from Tunisia to Mexico to New York to California. If you are still unsure, there is a Ipad at the counter where you can refer to the pictures.

I ordered their European breakfast and a glass of ice latte. The European breakfast consisted of eggs benedict with sauteed mushrooms and prosciutto on top of the toasted homemade brioche bread. The portion might looks tiny, but it was actually quite filling.

After the calorie-laden brunch, we decided to shop around to burn off some of it and then have high tea at TWG Tea Boutique located at Takashimaya basement 2 to help digest it better!

Weekend Getaway to Batam

2011-06-22T17:16:00.026+08:00

We are going for a weekend getaway to Batam from 20 - 21 August 2011 after my exams!

We bought our voucher through Streetdeal.sg as they are offering 66% off 2D1N in Batam, Swiss Inn Hotel/Swiss Belhotel at $59 per person instead of $176. The package also includes the following:

- Return ferry tickets (45mins)
- Return land transfer
- 60 mins spa massage
- Breakfast
- 7 course seafood dinner (Singapore style chilli crab, Black pepper / Cereal prawn, Hong Kong style steamed fish, Gong gong, Tofu hot plate, Kang kong / Kai lan / Long bean vegetables, Vegetables soup and Bowl of rice)
- Shopping discounts
- City tour to 3 places of interest (Guan Yin Goddess of Mercy statue / Vihara Maitreya Duta / Tua Pek Kong Temple)

It is just 2 more months away from now!

Great Company

2011-06-18T16:45:00.001+08:00

Wedding Preparation Part 2 - Guest List

2011-06-09T17:31:00.031+08:00

We have quickly discovered the worst and hardest part of the wedding planning process, that is to compose the guest list! By deciding how many are going to be on our guest list does take presentence. It all revolves around how many close friends, family members and relatives we want to share our special day with.

We started off by drafting out a list of the guests we are planning to invite, just to get a rough guide on the numbers we were dealing with. Once we have a list of estimated number guests we are planning to invite, we also determine how many guests each set of parents are inviting. We then update the list of names and contact information into the spreadsheet as it will help in the future when we are allocating the tables and sending out the invitations.

Currently, we have approximately 300 to 320 guests and I hope the total number of estimated guests will not exceed what we have allotted!

Wedding Preparation Part 1 - Choosing the Date

2011-06-08T10:06:00.000+08:00

Choosing the date is one of the most important decisions people will make as they plan for their wedding. It will be the first question everyone will tend to ask, and it will be difficult to make any progress on planning the wedding without knowing the date.

We had our auspicious dates calculated at Choong Loong Geomancy and Trading located at 149 Rocher Road, #B1-07 Fu Lu Shou Complex last year. This service cost S$80, price is quoted as of year 2010. We are required to provide the followings:

- Groom's chinese name, date of birth and zodiac sign
- Bride's chinese name, date of birth and zodiac sign
- Groom's parents date of birth and zodiac sign
- Bride's parents date of birth and zodiac sign
- Any particular month of the year in which we want to hold our wedding
- Whether we prefer it on a weekday, a weekend or any particular date

After the calculation, we were then be given 3 auspicious date to choose from for our wedding customary. Each auspicious date also comes with the hours of fetching the bride to the groom's house, the date and hours for installing a bridal bed, the date and hours for delivery of betrothal gifts and the zodiac sign that "crash" with the bride and groom (People with this zodiac need to avoid seeing the bride entering the groom's house).

After discussing with our parents, we finally decided on 06 May 2012, a Sunday! ♥

With a Pinch of Salt Cafe

2011-05-01T14:24:00.021+08:00

It's only a cafe, don't take it seriously...

With a Pinch of Salt Cafe by Kyra is a cosy cafe located along Tanjong Katong road that offers reasonable-priced Western food. Stepping inside, the first sign that greeted us was the color theme of the cafe has a close resemblance to that of a nursery, very vibrant, warm and jolly! The cafe is brightly decorated with little and cute figurines on the window frames and even on top of the air con. There is a piano in the middle of the cafe too!

http://www.withapinchofsalt.com.sg/

Here is what we have ordered:

Chocolate Mints - $4.90

Root Beer Float - $3.90

Crusted Scary Scallops (Oven baked smeared with homemade spices, topped with special crumbs) - $11.90 for half a dozen

Cheesy Fries (Crispy golden fries with melted cheese) - $6.90

Sissy Crab Pasta (Crispy soft shell crab on a bed of homemade cream sauce) - $10.90

Say Hawaii (Yummy pizza with hams and pineapples) - $8.90

For a place with such great food, great portions and great service, I was surprised at the end to see that there were no service charges and GST at all!

Dear enjoying his pipping hot pizza!

Next on my list would be the Smith's Fish and Chips located along the stretch of Tanjong Katong road. I spotted long queue when we drove past, it must be good!

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa Part 2

2011-03-20T16:42:00.027+08:00

We woke up early in the morning for a swim before our buffet breakfast at the Shutters restaurant!

Shutters is an elegant all day restaurant serving contemporary Asian and Western dishes. The restaurant boasts a romantic outdoor terrace area with a breathtaking view of the Amara skylight feature and an open-concept kitchen where diners can watch the chefs work their magic.

After our heavy breakfast, we went back to our hotel room and do the necessary packing and getting ready to check out at 12pm!

I was craving for ramen, and we decided to go for Ramen Santouka, a Japanese ramen franchise located in The Central. I have been wanting to try out their ramen ever since I read many good reviews about them online. Their branch is located on the second floor, in the left corner at the front portion of the building. The joint is pretty small, but that contributes to the authenticity of the place.

Outside the shop, there are standard plastic displays of what they offer on the menu.

Most of the Japanese ramen chain provides a full jug of cold water at each table. No doubt, it was for those who cannot stomach the saltiness!

Both of us ordered their prized dish, which is Tokusen Toroniku Ramen (Pork Cheek Ramen). For soup base, I choose the Kara-Miso - Spicy Soybean Paste Flavour and Dear choose the Miso - Soybean Paste Flavour.

The noodles was springy and the pork-based soup was amazingly rich. In spite of its oiliness, richness and saltiness, I found myself slurping up almost every drop of soup!

And, guess what? I am craving for a bowl RIGHT NOW!

The prized meat cut is so soft and tender that they literally melt in my mouth!

I ordered the Tamago Koji as a side dish. I love the soft runny egg york!

The Gyozas here are well-done, as they had nicely browned bases, a soft skin and a tasty filling.

To recover from the saltiness of the Ramen, we ordered our usual drinks at Gong Cha before we headed home.

Thanks to boyfriend for the lovely getaway and once again, happy 5th year anniversary to us and many more years to come! ♥

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa Part 1

2011-03-19T16:19:00.065+08:00

Our weekend staycation at Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa to celebrate our 5th year anniversary!

We meet up early in the morning for breakfast at Bendemeer Food Market before we head to Sentosa.

Our complimentary Sentosa bus and express train pass!

We took the Sentosa Express at Vivo City and alighted at the Imbiah Station. Amara Sanctuary Resort is within walking distance from there.

The Merlion at Imbiah Station.

Finally, we arrived at The Sanctuary! We had an early check in at 12pm instead of 3pm!

http://sentosa.amarahotels.com/

''A 121-room boutique resort on Singapore’s Sentosa Island, Amara Sanctuary Resort has uniquely retained elements of Singapore’s colonial architectural heritage, and combined this with contemporary design, a tropical landscape and a modern, casual yet elegant style. The resort offers luxurious accommodation, several innovative dining concepts, a gym, a unique concept spa, a state-of-the-art pillarless ballroom that can host large-scale meetings and events, and an all-purpose-built glass pavilion.''

The ambience of hotel was quiet, eco-friendly, bright and spa-like with the lovely soothing and calming lemongrass scent in the lobby and corridors.

''One of the highlights of Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is the stunning Glass Pavilion tucked within the lushly landscaped grounds - making it the most romantic and elegant wedding or event location.''

''The Glass Pavilion is furnished with stylish transparent Philippe Starck-designed ‘Louis Ghost Chairs’ and can seat up to 40 guests or provide standing room for up to 60 guests. Adding to its charm is an antique bell and a waterfall that serves as a picturesque backdrop to the pavilion.''

The premier room of ours was situated on the 3rd floor out of 4 storey main hotel building. Their premier room are sleek, contemporary style guest rooms with either sea or garden facing rooms.

The resort features three outdoor swimming pools. The rooftop infinity pool comes with stunning views of the South China Sea and is reserved exclusively for adults. The dream pool and a children's pool are located in the resort's landscaped tropical gardens.

Our anniversary gifts for each other!

After we had done with our check in, we headed to the Imbiah Lookout!

We had actually explored most of the attractions in Sentosa during our last few visits. This time round, we decided to only visit the Fort Siloso for some photoshoots.

Taking a break while waiting for the rain to stop.

The proud Peacock and its babies.

Hey you!

Squirrel

In the evening, we took a stroll along the Palawan beach to enjoy the beautiful sunset.

We were deciding what to have for dinner, and we chanced upon The Wave House Bar and Restaurant located at the Siloso beach. We went to check out their menu, and they serve a wide variety of food. While we are dining, we can also enjoy the unique and thrilling surfing actions just right outside the restaurant.

http://www.wavehousesentosa.com/wave-house-restaurant

''Enjoy New California Asian Cuisine, prepared by talented chefs, while immersed in the picturesque backdrop of beach culture. Dishes such as the Lap Chiong Pasta, Cured Salmon with Ginger & Star Anise or even the Seafood Pasta with our special Cashew Nut-Cilantro Pesto are some of the amazing culinary experiences available at the restaurant. A perfect place for lunch, dinner or just a light snack.''

The complimentary breads

For appetizers, we had Pan-Grilled Scallops with Asparagues Spears served with Thai Mango Salsa with Citrus Dressing and Mirco Greens as well as Seafood Chowder with Fennel.

For mains, Dear's had the Wavehouse's Coconut Scented Seafood Stew served with Blue Mussels, Squids, Prawns and Catch-of-the-Day served with Fragrant Rice.

For mains, I had the Chefs recommendation Linguine Aglio Olio with Lap Cheong served with Hua Tiao Chiew, Spinach, Corinder and Chilli Flakes.

For desserts, we shared the Surfer's Home Made Lava Chocolate Cake served with Chilli, Vanilla Ice Cream and Citrus Salads.

The super moon on 19 March 2011, the biggest full moon in 20 years!

After our sinful indulgence, we took a stroll back to our resort and enjoy a nice warm bubble bath!

Coming up next..

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa Part 2!

Short Getaway in March and May

2011-02-28T22:31:00.023+08:00

We are going for a weekend staycation at Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa from 19th - 20th March 2011 to celebrate our five years anniversary!

http://sentosa.amarahotels.com/

And....

We are going for a 4D3N short getaway to Bangkok, Thailand from 6th - 9th May 2011 for shopping and food!

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3409

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

The Blue Ginger Restaurant

2011-02-14T20:50:00.028+08:00

A Simple Valentine Day Dinner at The Blue Ginger Restaurant

''Nestled amidst a row of quaint shophouses, the Blue Ginger Restaurant has been making a strong statement for peranakan cooking.''

http://www.theblueginger.com/

''Blue Ginger has a Nonya - themed design with traditional ornaments fusing with current artistic paintings. Its interior is based on dark brown and cream as its main colours. With dimmed lights drooping from the ceiling, it gives one a soothing yet contemporary feel about the atmosphere.''

To the man I ♥, Happy Valentine Day!

Nonya Ah-Cha and Sambal Chili

Otak Otak

Prepared in our kitchen, our homemade fishcake recipe will tantalize your taste buds with turmeric and lime leaves enriched with galangal, chilli, candlenuts and shrimp paste.

Beef Rendang

Tender beef cubes prepared in rich coconut milk spiced with ginger, lemongrass, lime leaves and a dash of curry powder

Chap Chye Masak Titek

A typical peranakan mixed vegetable dish specially prepared in a tasty prawn stock

Steamed Seabass

Fresh seabass prepared with a choice of preserved bean paste flavoured with fresh
garlic, chilli and spring onions or ginger and soy sauce

The Blue Ginger Restaurant serve great authentic Peranakan food! Overall, the service staffs was friendly and the food served was rather well-paced. I'm definitely going to go back again someday!

Meet up with Friends

2011-02-10T21:45:00.007+08:00

Weekend Dinner at Pasta Stylo at City Square Mall

''Pasta Stylo is inspired by the passion of youngsters today. Energetic & fashionable, this young oriented bistro serves delicious Italian pasta with Singaporean-Asian twist! Beside pasta, the chefs have concocted an array of trendy fusion recipes of local delights, gourmet burgers and funky desserts to add seduction and variety to the menu, catering to a broader range of dinners.''

http://www.pastastylo.com/

Kelvin and my best friend, Joanna!

My Lychee Mocktail with Mint

Vegetables Salads

The Lord of the Rings

Crispy golden calamari rings with light and fruity banana curry sauce.

Dear's - Tokyo Sake Salmon Linguini

Soy grilled salmon on a plate of linguini dressed with wasabi-mayo sauce.

Kelvin's - Fowl of Arabia

Tender chicken steak marinated with saffron, olives and rose water; grilled to perfection, resting on a bed of pasta and vegetables salad.

Joanna and Mine - Singapore Chili Crab Spaghetti

Aromatically and decadence chilli crab on spaghetti

It stole the limelight with its unbeatable price of $9.90 and this Singapore creation is a top seller at Pasta Stylo. It beckoned to us with the aroma of the slightly spicy sauce and its deliciously smooth pasta. The only gripe would be that in order to taste the juicy bits of crab meat, one has to manually pry apart the pincers and do it the 'dirty' way!

We ended our meal on a sweet note with desserts!

A hot Sweet Date and Pasta Di Cioccolato Con Frittella Di Banana

Banana baked in rich sauce of caramelized honey and cinnamon, assorted by homemade sticky dates pudding and choclate rossini (rice pasta) and banana fritter with ice cream.

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Saturday Brunch at PS Cafe at Palais Renaissance

''PS Café has long been hailed as one of those unique hidden venues, which delivers hearty favorites in a charming and friendly atmosphere. It is a place where diners feel equally at home enjoying a delightful brunch with a refreshing mocktail or a fulfilling dinner accompanied by a chilled wine.''

http://www.pscafe.sg/

My brunch khaki - Mei Fang, Wen Juan and Lina!

Orange Juice, Banana and Strawberry Juice, Hot Latte and Iced Chamomile Tea!

Banana Pancakes, Egg Benedict, PS. Bolognasie and PS. Lasagne!

I'd like to think that this is one of the rare gems on the Orchard Road strip. Slightly off the heart of town, you can grab a nice meal, dessert or coffee away from the bustle and crowds!

LET'S ALL CATCH UP AGAIN SOON!!!

The Last Few Hours of 2010

2010-12-31T00:07:00.007+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

Let us bid good bye to 2010 and welcome 2011!

Christmas Gatherings Part 2

2010-12-26T21:49:00.012+08:00

Mr Punch Restaurant & Winebar

'Mr Punch Restaurant & Winebar, was formally known as Mint Cafe. Though the location and capacity of the restaurant remains unchanged, the entire concept, decor and menu has been overhauled. Gone are the days of cartoon movie posters lining the walls of the basement restaurant. Today, Mr Punch would give people a unique sense of nostalgia that is hard to replicate elsewhere in Singapore. Decked on the walls are countless vintage enamel signs of brands that people would have fond memories of, such as Sinalco, Carlsberg, OXO, HMV, Lakerol, Quacker Oats and many more...'

The daily set dinner are priced at $25.80++ which comes with the chef’s salad, soup, choice of pasta or main, dessert and choice of drink!

Our Christmas gifts exchange with a $30 spending cap for each person!

Special thanks to Lynn for the gifts and Diana for the handmade card! It was so sweet and thoughtful of you guys~

Group photos with the girls to end the lovely night~ ♥

Christmas Gatherings Part 1

2010-12-25T00:20:00.057+08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

Darren invited all of us over to his house for Christmas party on the actual day!

I like the idea of how Darren and Felicia decorates their Christmas tree in a new and fun way!

Our door gifts from Darren and Felicia - Christmas hats and goodies bags for everyone, green neckties for the guys and red bowties for the ladies!

Our Christmas gifts exchange with a $20 spending cap for each person!

I like the idea of potluck because it helps to reduce the overall cost as the the food is provided by everyone attending and it solve the planning dilemmas!

Our potluck menu for the night:

Us - Fried Bee Hoon and Chicken Wings
Darren and Felicia - Fried Rice, Stewed Chickens and Almond Jellies
Wayne and Rachel - Salads and Drinks
Ben and Karina - Fried Fish Balls, Seaweed Chickens and Nuggets
Andy and Sarah - Roasted Beefs
Justin - Cakes

I forgot to take photos of some of the dishes because I am too busy eating away!

Our group photos!

I really enjoyed myself very much that night with tons of fun and laughter, and not forgetting the Kinect that brings games and entertainment to us in an extraordinary new ways without using a controller!

Picking the Perfect Date

2010-12-10T22:09:00.027+08:00

I have just gotten engaged and now everyone wants to know when the wedding is!

Firstly, how to pick the perfect date?

I want to have enough time to plan, but on the other hand, I don’t want to wait too long since my flat will be ready next year end. I want a day and time of the year that allows all of my friends and family members to make it, but not one that will be too popular with other brides, or else the turnout for our wedding might be less than spectacular. Not to mention the higher rates.

We are currently looking at first half of 2012, preferably after Chinese New Year, on a weekend. The most common way to know whether a date is auspicious for wedding is to use Tong Shu, a Chinese almanac. By using Tong Shu one can find out which dates are good for wedding. Relying on Tong Shu for auspicious wedding dates has limitations. Firstly, it can only give auspicious dates for the current year. If we need auspicious dates beyond the current year, we would have to wait for the new Tong Shu to be out. Secondly, different Tong Shu by different authors and publishers may show different auspicious wedding dates. There is no way to know if a date is truly auspicious for wedding.

For our case, we are looking for auspicious wedding dates that are beyond the current year. To save the trouble of analyzing all the dates by ourselves, we had decided to source for Geomancy Master to fix all the auspicious dates for us, the date for holding dinner banquet, the dates and hours for delivery of betrothal gifts (過大禮), installing a bridal bed (安床), fetching of bride to groom's house (入門) and etc. They would have to use date selection techniques such as The 12 Day Officers Method, The 28 Constellation Method and Dong Gong Date Selection. Using date selection techniques, auspicious wedding dates can be identified for any year.

Some people might ask, 'why dont we choose a date for ourselves?'

Of course we love the idea of getting married on Valentine’s Day, or on the anniversary of the day we met or on one of our birthdays. However, according to Chinese metaphysics thinking, everyday is different in terms of the quality and type of cosmic energies. Not all days are suitable for marriage. Some days are good while others are bad.

The identifed auspicious wedding date has to be checked against the couple's bazi as well as the birth date of the parents. We are not being superstitous but having a wedding on an auspicious date is like choosing a good day to carry out an important task. It is believed that marriage on a good wedding date will have the support of good cosmic energies that are positive for marriage. This will bring about good blessing and good start to a marriage.

Do let me know if you have any reliable or professional Geomancy Master to introduce!

Wedding Proposal on 12 November 2010

2010-11-12T23:35:00.000+08:00

♥ 12.11.10 ♥

I will do a proper update soon!!

Early Birthday Dinner with Dear and Meifang

2010-10-17T00:37:00.013+08:00

Early birthday dinner with Dear at Spruce!

''Spruce was conceived as a casually sophisticated restaurant in the heart of vibrant Tanglin road. Our goal has always been to offer quality food and drink in the most inspired of settings, to offer genuine hospitality and real value. We are confident that with every passing day we are doing just that. We want you to know that as our guest we are committed to welcoming you with our signature warm hospitality. If you have experienced Spruce before, welcome back and if you are joining us for the first time we hope that you find your time with us a great one.''

http://www.spruce.com.sg/

Spruce is located along Tanglin Road and it is directly opposite the Brunei Darussalam. It might seem tucked away and hidden from public view, but it isn't a terribly difficult place to locate because of the prominent landmark opposite it. Spruce is popular with Caucasians and locals alike, presumably because of its good food and quaint surrounding.

The friendly waitress offered to take photos for us!

For drinks, Dear ordered their Spruce Lemonade with Mint and I ordered their Blood Orange Negoroni (Blood Orange, Campari & Martini Rosso).

For starter, we ordered their Spicy Crab and Artichoke Dip.

This one is so flavourful and delicious and it goes well with the Tortilla chips! It was simply addictive and I am craving for it now!

For main, I ordered their Whole Roasted Snapper with herb salad and lemon Jam. The snapper was served whole, a nice departure from fillets. The fish was very fresh and the lemon jam and salad brought out the flavors perfectly!

For main, Dear ordered their Rotisserie Chicken with lemon, broccoli, thyme and desiree potato. In general, the chicken were cooked to perfection, it was tender and juicy!

A slice of surprise birthday cake was served after the meal! Thanks Dear!

It was overall a pleasant and nice dining experience over at Spruce, with good quality of food and services!

The following day, I meet up with Meifang for dinner at Oomphatico's located at Tanglin Mall!

''Oomphatico's is a concept developed by RestoBars (S) Pte Ltd. This modern European cafe offers a melange of goof, wholesome, tasty food that is soul satisfying and an eclectic ambience that is quirky yet sophisticated and chic.''

http://www.oomphaticos.com/

Meifang introduced to me this whimsical cafe that was tucked in a quiet corner of Tanglin Mall. Oomphatico's - that was the name of the enchanting restaurant. Upon entering, I was immediately drawn by the laidback and quirky decor as well as the dessert counter with a variety of colourful cupcakes, pastries and cakes for us to choose from!

For drinks, I ordered their Phantasic Four with Strawberry, Apple, Lemon and Lime, and Meifang ordered their Very Berry with combination of Berries.

My Tenderloin Burger with Mustard Mayo, Caramelised Onion, Cucumber, Lettuce, Cheese and Tomato.

Meifang Oomphatico's Club - Light Rye Bread, Sakura Chicken, Crisp Bacon, Cheddar, Avocado, Tomato and Egg.

It was indeed a wonderful early birthday treat from Meifang! Thanks girl and catch up again soon!

Birthday Gatherings at Applebees at Triple 1 Somerset

2010-10-14T10:03:00.061+08:00

Applebees

http://www.applebees.com/

''There's no place like the neighbourhood''

The services started with a good note and our dining experience seemed promising. Our waitress chirpily introduced herself and informed us of the ongoing drinks promotion. I ordered their free flow Raspberry Fruit Fizzers, and the rest ordered their free flow Raspberry/Strawberry/Kiwi flavoured lemonades.

For the main dishes, we ordered the followings:

Mine: Chicken Fajita Rollup

''We're on a roll with this unique take on the classic fajita. Smoky chipotle chicken rolled in a flour tortilla with melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, shredded lettuce and pico de gallo. Served with Mexi-ranch dipping sauce.''

Diana: Fiesta Lime Chicken

''A little zest, a little Southwest. Grilled chicken done fiesta-style with a zesty lime sauce. Then we top it with Jack-cheddar and Mexi-ranch, and serve it up with crisp tortilla strips, seasoned rice and fresh pico de gallo.''

Joycelyn: Ultimate Trios

''Dynamite Shrimp - Plump, succulent shrimp coated in crispy panko bread crumbs and fried, then tossed in a spicy sauce.

Buffalo Chicken Wings - Tossed in your choice of classic, hot, honey BBQ, Southern BBQ, or sweet & spicy sauce.

Mozzarella Sticks - Golden fried and served with a tasty marinara sauce.''

Shixing: Ultimate Trios

''Dynamite Shrimp - Plump, succulent shrimp coated in crispy panko bread crumbs and fried, then tossed in a spicy sauce.

Wonton Tacos - Zesty pulled pork or grilled chicken stuffed in crispy wonton shells and topped with crunchy Asian slaw with cilantro.

Cheeseburger Sliders - Juicy burgers topped with American cheese, grilled onions and signature burger sauce on toasted mini buns.''

Huiming: Cowboy Burger

''Head out West and grab this burger topped with crispy onion strings, melted white cheddar cheese, and Applewood smoked bacon. Served on a toasted bun with Southern BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.''

The interval between dishes were controlled well and we were overwhelmed by the speed of serving! As for the food wise, all the main dishes we have ordered were yummylicious and the portion was huge! It was definitely worth the prices we paid for.

The surprise birthday cake from the girls!

Diana birthday falls on the 17 October, and mine on the 19 October~

I love the personalized necklace! It is so unqiue and just downright pretty!

Thanks girls!

Group photos to end the lovely night!

Brunch at Cafe Hacienda Dempsey Hill and Marina Bay Sands

2010-10-04T21:58:00.052+08:00

Monday Brunch at Cafe Hacienda at Dempsey Hill - They served all day long breakfast from 9am to midnight daily!

''Intimate and homely, Café Hacienda is a mere stone's throw from Hacienda. With high ceilings, lots of natural sunlight and WiFi readily available, it’s a lovely place for family brunch, solo coffee sessions or dessert with your favourite girlfriends.

Café Hacienda will serve a hearty and delicious array of soups, salads, paninis, pies and home-made desserts.

With an aim to have the best coffee in the area, Café Hacienda will have its own brand and blend of fresh-roasted beans exclusively available in-store. Café Hacienda will also serve arguably the best Caesar Salad in Singapore.''

http://www.hacienda.com.sg/

The cafe setting was simple, minimalist and clean. We opt to sit indoor as we are afraid it might be hot outside. What really caught our eyes were the books on display which we can take and browse while waiting for our food to be served. There are also magazines and daily newspapers.

We were seated in a quiet corner by the window!

Flat White and Cafe Latte

Caesar Salad topped with a perfectly poached egg.

Fluffy Pancakes with slices of Strawberries and Bananas, accompanied by a small honeycomb, butter, thick gooey maple syrup and whipped cream.

B.L.T Sandwiches with two layers of lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, cheddar cheese and a sunnyside up.

Our yummylicious brunch!

In the evening, we took a stroll across the Helix Bridge to get to Marina Bay Sands. Below are some of the photos we took along the way!

There wasn’t anything spectacular with the Helix Bridge actually, except that is the world’s first double helix curved bridge. I guess it would be nicer at night when they are illuminated by a series of colourful lights! It was a 10-minute relaxed stroll across the bridge and we ended up at Marina Bay Sands. There were many high-class boutique shops but I think the main attraction was just the Casino!

Girls Gatherings at Timbre Art House and Meetup with Joanna

2010-09-09T22:36:00.047+08:00

Timbre at Art House - ''Music Serenity be the River''

Timbre offers a wide range of BBQ offerings, pastas, salads, stir-fried dishes, popular pizzas as well as a wide selection of cocktails, mocktails and alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks!

Photos courtesy of Diana

Our menu for the night:

1) Roasted Duck Pizza - Roasted duck breast, sautéed shiitake mushroom with Hoisin sauce, topped with crispy popiah skin & mozzarella cheese.

I am sure most pizza lovers have heard of their highly acclaimed Roasted Duck Pizza, and true enough, It did not fail to disappoint me! There were a chunks of tender duck meat placed atop of their extremely thin crusted, piping hot pizza!

2) Timbre Buffalo Wings - Battered chicken wings, deep-fried & topped with Timbre's devil sauce

Each one is coated in a Timbre's devil sauce, and that makes the skin of the chicken taste extremely good! The spice level is mild, I would prefer it to be spicer!

3) Louisiana Fries - Deep fried straight cut fries, topped with Cajun spiced and accompanied with Tartar sauce.

The fries are slightly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and it goes well with the tartar sauce!

4) Stuffed Mushrooms - Mushrooms stuffed with bacon bits, herbed butter and mozzarella cheese

These savory stuffed mushrooms are flavorful and juicy!

Timbre's at Art House is a excellent place to chill and hang out with friends. The local live band plays great music and you can actually write your song delication on a piece of paper or servettes, and get the waiter or waitress to pass it to them. They will then sing and play the songs you like!

On 30th August, I also get to meet up with Joanna and it was great to catch up with her. She and her boyfriend have applied for the 5 room Punggol Waterway Terraces BTO and they got a very good queue number! I am feeling happy and excited for them because they will be staying very near to us in the near future!

We had dinner at Aoba Hokkaido Ramen, followed by Ice Cream at Gusttimo Di Roma, both located at Ion Orchard.

I love the ice cream at Gusttimo Di Roma because they are smooth and not overly sweetened! They have made their gelato healthier, in terms of fat content. Their fruits and yoghurts gelato are fat free, and the cream-based gelato are 96 per cent fat-free. You have to choose a minimum of 3 flavours and a cup size of 3 flavours Picolo cost $5.90, or 4 flavours Grande cost $7.80.

I’ll probably go back sometime for more gelato, or perhaps, try the food!

The Little Happenings in the Month of August

2010-08-28T12:45:00.017+08:00

Happy Birthday to the August Babies!

Lynn birthday falls on the 28 August and Joycelyn on the 06 August~

We celebrated Joycelyn birthday earlier on at Pasta De Waraku, Heeren, and after that, we went to Old Town White Coffee for drinks and desserts.

Since Lynn couldn't make it for the gathering for her advance birthday celebration, we decided to pop by her house the day before her actual birthday n give her surprises!

We shared our well wishes for her on the colourful heart-shaped balloons and cards!

Who doesn't love suprises, especially when it is on one's birthday!

The moment when Lynn entered her dark room when she reached home, everybody just yelled 'SURPRISES' and start to sing her a birthday song! We caught her totally off guard and I guess it was a completely exhilarating moment for her when she walk into her room and notice all of us are all present there for her birthday. She run through a gamut of emotions as she look around quizzically with tears flowing down her cheeks! It was surely a moment filled with happiness and excitement!

We hoped you will love the presents we got for you and I am looking forward to our next girls gathering at Timbre, Art House on 09 September!

The Skateline at East Coast Park are having a moving out sale with 50% off storewide for skates, gear and accessories! Their outlet retail stores are also matching the 50% off price with the items that are available at East Coast Park. However, their moving out sale is only happening during the weekend from 28 - 29 August.

We are glad that we managed to grab a pair of skates to our liking and we are going to start skating on a regular basis!

I got my skates at $139.50 and Dear's got his at $249.50 after the 50% discount. I also bought a set of wrists/elbows/knees guards at $34.50 and two skate straps at $5 each after the 50% discount. We paid a total of $433.50.

We had our dinner at C.Nai Hong Kong Cafe at East Coast Park with Darren and Felicia after we got our skates. Surprisingly, I find that their food are more authentic and tastier than Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe and Hong Kong Kim Gary. They also offer a few very attractive perks that help differentiate itself from the rest, like live band that plays mandarin pop songs and no service charges.

I would recommend their fried carrot cake with XO sauce as well as their deep fried squid with spicy crispy garlic if you guys are interested to try it out.

Mint Museum of Toys

2010-08-09T10:54:00.035+08:00

Thanks to Lynn, we were given free entry ticket to the Mint Museum of Toys!

http://www.emint.com/pages/index.html

''Mint is an acronym for "Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys".

A seven storeys award-winning contemporary building hidden among a row of shop houses on Seah Street. Mint Museum of Toys is the world's first purpose-built museum for toys. It is located opposite the great old dame, Raffles Hotel and on the same street as Naumi Boutique Hotel. This toy museum boasts a collection of over 50,000 pieces of vintage toys, enamel signs and lithographed tin containers from over 40 countries but only 7,000 pieces are on display at any one time due to space constraints. The collection is regarded as one of the finest in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. Also within the same building are Mr Punch basement Restaurant and Mr Punch rooftop Winebar.''

In the evening, we meet up with Darren and Felicia for Seoul Garden dinner at Bugis Junction. The first thing that disappoint us is the bad customer service. Its is hard to get the staffs attention and our table is lack of soup ladle and spoons. The standard of food has dropped and the soup was bland. It is not exactly worth the money we paid for.

It was nice catching up with them and chit-chatting about how things have been! Let's arrange for another meet-up session soon~

Krabi Trip Day 5

2010-08-02T20:38:00.008+08:00

Krabi Trip Day 5

Since today is our last day in Krabi, we decided to have breakfast in one of the cafes located at Ao Nang Center! We were so bored with the breakfast in the hotel.

It was drizzing early in the morning, so we decided to take Tuk Tuk there.

They serves excellent all-day Western-style breakfasts, espresso and cocktails and is one of the only places in town with wi-fi.

I never thought I would have so much fun in Krabi, let alone feeling heavy hearted when it was time to say good bye! The sights, food, people, and climate made this the most memorable holiday. We were well-taken care of, from arrival to departure and the Thais that we met were warm and jovial. The friendly service with a smile from the heart is one of the endearing characteristics that will impress you while you spend your vacation in the province.

I have came across this website, 50 good reasons why Krabi is so great! Click here if you guys are interested or are planning for a trip there.

Till then..

Krabi Trip Day 4

2010-08-01T13:26:00.019+08:00

Krabi Trip Day 4

Our first stop of the day is Wat Tham Seua (Tiger Cave Temple). It is a big temple at the base of a karst tower, which not only houses many Gods, but also is home to the monks and nuns who meditate there. It takes its name from a stone formation nearby which resembles a tiger's claw, and so, built this temple to commemorate his sighting and named it thus.

There were two flights of stairs in the temple compound. One had 1237 steep steps, which led to the meditation temple at the top of the karst tower, and which offered a wide view of the Krabi landscape. I was hoping to scale that flight, but due to time constraints, we decided to give it a miss. The second one had 130 steps, which led into a valley where the monks live in simple huts.

Red bull give you wings~

We hop onto the van, and head to our next destination - Hot Springs and Emerald/Crystal Pool.

In the south of Krabi province, are nature's own hot-tub jacuzzis. The water here comes from thermal springs, originating deep underground in volcanic chambers. Located in the jungle, this site features naturally hollowed-out 'bathtubs' in the smooth stone, filled to the brim with running spring water at a pleasant 35-40C.

The mineral salts contained in the water are said to ease a number of ailments, including rheumatism, sciatica and skin complaints. Although these medical claims are unproven, the effect of simply lazing in hot water up to your chin, watching the clouds go by, certainly has positive health benefits.

A visit to the Hot Springs would not be complete without a trip the nearby 'Crystal Pool' in Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. Also known as 'Emerald Pool', this is an astonishly-hued natural pool at the centre of the forest, filled with clear spring water.

After the Hot Springs and Emerald/Crystal Pool, we proceed for Elephant trekking again.

With elephants fast disappearing from the wild in Thailand, the best place to see these fascinating animals up close is in a trekking camp. There are only a few camps in Krabi - such establishments must follow strict guidelines as set by the National Livestock Department regarding the provision of adequate food, water and shade for their animals, as well as proper health care.

A trek will allow us to experience this first-hand, as well as the animals' natural forest environment. Carrying tourists for fun means the elephants are able to earn their keep, while living as freely as is possible: as there is not enough space to release them into the wild, and they are very costly to feed. The only alternatives for these gentle giants are begging, illegal logging, or inactivity in a zoo.

We are not uptight about the questionable hygiene of food from the roadside stalls, so we decide try them out. They are mostly very delicious and are certainly more authentic than those sold at restaurants. And they are very affordable as well!

We were very adventurous when we first came to Thailand and was not worried about eating from street vendors. But of course, there’s obviously a balance needed as not everybody will immediately adapt to the food.

If the street vendor has a long line of Thai customers waiting every lunch/dinner time, then it’s a reasonably safe bet that both the food and the hygiene are good.

Needless to say, the food here are very delicious!

Thailand has some excellent street food and I think you do miss out on so much if you don’t try it during your stay here because food and eating are so embedded in Thailand culture!

To end the night, we went for full body massage at one of the parlours at Ao Nang Center. From 200 Baht, you can opt for a myriad of massages, ranging from head/ shoulder/neck/back/foot, full body, oil/milk/lotion massages and etc.

Coming up next..

Krabi Trip Day 5!

Krabi Trip Day 3

2010-07-31T15:57:00.013+08:00

Krabi Trip Day 3

Our first stop of the day is the 5 kilometers white water rafting at Island Safari Camp!

We bought this photo for 300 Baht. Next, we proceed to the waterfall!

After the buffet lunch at Island Safari Camp, we proceed to Island Safari Phang-Nga for Elephant trekking as well as Elephant and Monkey show!

Here comes my favourite station!

A lovely couple we met along the way! There are from Singapore as well!

After the exhilarating elephant adventure, we feed the elephant with bananas! It cost only 50 Baht.

An handmade necklace as a gift from the elephant caretaker! It was so sweet of him!

It’s truly heartbreaking for me to know the elephant is going through a horrific torture training which the elephant is mentally and physically broken, so that they become submissive and are ready for further training. The trainer inflicted a bloody bullhook wound behind an elephant’s ear flap which cause pain and puncture the skin. Despite its appearance, an elephant’s skin is as sensitive as humans’ skin. The sharp metal hook on the end of the bullhook causes bruises, punctures, and tears elephants’ skin easily and often.

They are my favourite animals beside giraffe, but how to stop them from being abuse?

We had our dinner at Tanta's. It probably have the best ambience of all the restaurants in Ao Nang Center. The service staff seemed very genuine in wanting their diners to feel comfortable and were always very polite and helpful. The Thai Fried Rice, Tom Yam Goong, Curry Chicken with Vegetables and Sweet and Sour Fish were all very delicious and very reasonable priced.

We had drinks and ice-cream at Kiatsch Cafe before we head back to the hotel after a long and tiring day.

Coming up next..

Krabi Trip Day 4!

Krabi Trip Day 2

2010-07-30T15:29:00.022+08:00

Krabi Trip Day 2

Here are the 8 islands we have covered today - Maya Bay, Monkey Bay, Lohsamah Bay, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, Phi Phi Don, Hin Klang and Bamboo Island.

1) Maya Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay that's sheltered by 100-metre high cliffs on three sides. Inside the bay there are several beaches, most are small and some only exist at low tide. The main one is around 200 metres long with silky soft white sand, underwater colourful coral and exotic fish in exceptionally clear water; the whole bay is one big reef.

Maya Bay has become the main tourist attraction of Phi Phi since The Beach was filmed here in 1999. It was always very popular before the film but now people around the world who haven't even heard of Phi Phi have certainly heard of Maya Bay.

2) Monkey Bay is located just outside Loh Dalum Bay to the west. It is a deserted tranquil beach with good coral. Some daytrips stop here to see the monkeys, watch out - they can be very cheeky. This is a nice place to explore by kayak from Loh Dalum Beach.

3) Lohsamah Bay is a small, quiet beach with colourful snorkelling in clear, calm and shallow waters.

4) Pileh Bay is situated on the opposite side of Phi Phi Leh to Maya Bay. It's a long thin bay with 100m high cliffs on all sides, at the entrance there's a shelf, the top of which is too shallow for anything other than speedboat or longtail boat. This stops it from getting too busy. The best time to go to Pi Leh Bay is during high tide, unless you go at lunchtime much of the bay will be in shade.

5) Viking Cave has numerous cave paintings of vessels, resembling Viking longboats. The colored drawings are located on the eastern and southern walls of the cave. There are pictures of elephants and also of various boats: European, Arab and Chinese sailing ships, baroques, motorboats, and steamships. They were probably drawn by pirates, who paused in the cave on their travels from west to east, sheltering from the monsoon winds, transfering cargo, or making repairs.

The cave is revered by the local people. They come here to collect the swift's nests, used to make Bird's Nest Soup, a Chinese delicacy. The season for the nests is between February and April.

6) Phi Phi Don covers a total area of 28 square kilometers: 8 kilometers in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. Phi Phi Don is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants. It is a tropical exotic island between Krabi and Phuket . Phi Phi Don is a breathtaking island in every sense of the word. Almost every island in the world claims to be one of the most beautiful - a tropical island in paradise. It is a perfect tropical island for vacation. Phi Phi Don is where the islands accommodations ,hotel, resorts, shops and restaurants are all based.

7) Hin Klang is an underwater reef, or coral mountain that doesn't break the surface. It is located 2km offshore right in front of Laem Tong Beach in the north of Phi Phi, it's 90m long and 60m wide. Crystal-clear water, lots of fish and colourful coral, this is one of the best places to snorkel in Southern Thailand and probably the best place in Phi Phi.

8) Bamboo Island is 5km from the northern tip of Phi Phi Don. The small island is only 500m across and has beautiful beaches virtually all the way around that give way to coral underwater. An excellent place to snorkel as the reefs are extensive and fairly shallow, but the beach is always there for a rest.

It was pouring for the whole day. We experience the full impact of choppy sea waters, heavy storm and strong wind when travelling on the speedboat. It felt like an endless thrill ride!

We had our breakfast at the hotel before our island hopping tour!

This Guava is unbelievably sweet! It has been soaked in sour prune water and that is the reason why it is so sweet. This type of Guava is available in Singapore too!

We chanced upon this restaurant walking along the Ao Nang beach stretch. The guys at the door boldly touted “guaranteed good food”. We ordered the Thai Seafood Fried Rice, Green Curry Chicken, Tom Yam Seafood Goong and Fried Fish with Spring Onions. The food was mediocre.

The beautiful Ao Nang Beach during sunset.

We had coffee at Tattoo De Cafe before heading back to the hotel.

Coming up next..

Krabi Trip Day 3!

Krabi Trip Day 1

2010-07-29T09:37:00.032+08:00

Krabi Trip Day 1

We meet up for Macdonald breakfast at Compass Point before heading to the budget terminal for our flight at 12.35pm.

Gate 8

Our flight was supposed to depart at 12.35pm, but it was delayed for nearly an hour.

After 1.5 hour of flight, we finally arrived at Krabi!

We took a cab from Krabi International Airport to Aree Tara Resort and it took around 30 - 40 minutes. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by the staffs and was offered a glass of Pineapple juice each. Checking in was a breeze and the staffs even brief us on the facilities and activities that are available within the resort and the different tour packages.

Our pool access room located on the ground floor is wonderful and it is equipped with special extra day bed at the private balcony. The room are clean, modern, minimalist and beautifully furnished.

I love the unique and creative presentation of the towels in the hotel room. One thing they need to improve on is the hotel breakfast. There are not much selection and the food are too salty.

Aree Tara Resort is located at the beautiful Ao Nang, Nopparattara beach, which is only 10 - 15 minutes walk to Ao Nang Center and shopping areas. If you choose to go by Tuk Tuk, it cost 20 Baht per person.

We booked our 3 days tour packages through Miracle Tour at Ao Nang Center. We paid S$230.80 for two pax. It includes hotel transfers, drinking water and fruits, buffet lunch, entrance fees, accident insurance, free use of snorkelling equipment and etc. They will pick us up from the hotel at 8.30am in the morning, and sent us back at 5pm in the evening.

The activities includes Island Hopping, White Water Rafting, Waterfall, Elephant Trekking, Elephant and Monkey show, Tiger Cave Temple, Hot Spring and Emerald Pool.

We will never go hungry in Krabi! Food is everywhere, from mobile motorcycle and pushcart vendors to streetside stalls and markets, as well as great selection of small eateries, outdoor cafes and fancy restaurant.

Coming up next..

Krabi Trip Day 2!

The New Paper Big Walk at Marina Bay 2010

2010-07-18T10:42:00.015+08:00

The New Paper Big Walk is an annual affair that attract lots of participants. This is my first time joining it with Meifang. It feels pretty good to wake up early in the morning to join in the walk.

The flag off time is 7.30am, and the 5 kilometre journey starts at the Singapore Flyer and ends at Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, where the Big Carnival at Marina Bay is held at. It also cover areas such as Marina Bay Sands and part of the race track of the Formula One Singtel Singapore Grand Prix. Apart from the walk itself, we also received goodie bags which were packed with attractive goodies, including a ticket for a ride on the Singapore Flyer worth $29.50 and 25% off for up to 4 tickets!

Meifang

Hotel and Activities at Krabi, Thailand

2010-06-27T10:46:00.023+08:00

After much dicussion and sourcing, we have finally decided to book our 5 day 4 night stay with Aree Tara Resort!

''Aree Tara Resort which is located on the beautiful Aonang beach is a modern resort setting with luxurious room, delicious dining choices and only a few steps to the beach. This four-star design resort has a range of truly superb accommodation. As the first of a “Minimalist Graphic Hotel” to establish a presence in Aonang, the Aree Tara Resort has maintained its position as one of the finest resort in Aonang.You can simply step out from your beautiful room, walk to the beach or shopping with a few minutes away.''

http://www.areetararesortkrabi.com/

We booked the deluxe pool access room located on the first floor, with direct access to the large swimming pool from the door step. The room is also equipped with special extra day bed at the private balcony.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The activities we will be be doing at Krabi, Thailand

Hot Spring in Klong Thom

''The water here comes from the thermal springs, originating deep underground in volcanic chambers. It is located in the jungle, it features naturally, hollowed-out 'bathtubs' in the smooth stone, filled to the brim with running spring water at a pleasant 35-40 celsius.''

''The mineral salts contained in the water are said to ease a number of ailments, including rheumatism, sciatica and skin complaints.''

Wat Tham Seua (Tiger Cave Temple)

''It is a small temple built inside a long shallow limestone cave, surrounded by natural forest. The temple, one of the south's most famous mediation centres, takes its name from a stone formation nearby which resembles a tiger's claw.''

''Two staircases wind up the the limestone cliffs. The first one leads with 1,237 steps to the top of the mountain offering a superb 360 degree view and is definitely worth a try. Reaching the top will reward you with an incredible view of a huge sitting Buddha, a golden pagoda and a few small constructions. The second one with 130 steps leads into a valley where the monks live in simple huts.''

Elephant Trekking

''The elephant is seen as a symbol of the nation and a talisman for the Thai people. A trek will allow you to experience this first hand as well as the animals forest environment. It is usually an hour's ride on the elephant, combined with another sightseeing activity.''

Emerald Pool

''The area is forested and shady and at different times of the day, the color of the water changed to different hues. When the water temperature is high, the water turn greenish blue; when the water temperature is low; the water turn pale green.''

Snorkeling at Maya Bay and Phi Phi Island

''These islands are well known as diving and snorkeling paradises. They are shallow with crystal clear water and spendid coral formations.''

If time permits, I would love to visit James Bonds Island and Bamboo Island!

Whitewater Rafting

''It is available year round, though the rainy season, from June to November, is by far the best time to go. Enjoy non stop, action packed wave crashing, white water rafting river adventure.''

Sea Kayaking / Canoeing

''Krabi's shoreline is dotted with caves, mangroves and beaches - all harbouring a wealth of marine, animal and plant life.''

''For a close and leisurely look, there is no better option than to spend a day or few hours in a sea kayak (or sea canoe) which can be hired in most tourist locations in the area, along with experienced guides if needed.''

Krabi Night Market

''There are two popular night markets. One on Maharaj Soi 8 just around the corner from Thaimit Tours and the other on the river front at Khongkha Road. A night market in Krabi town consisting of several stalls. It's out in the open by the roadside.''

Do let me know if there are activities not to be miss!!

揾到食 Dim Sum Dinner

2010-06-10T09:58:00.007+08:00

This is not a food review, this is a night where the girls come together, enjoying the food and have fun!

Photo courtesy of Lynn

And finally, the arrival of my face masks and eye masks! Thanks Lynn! :)

English Afternoon Tea at L'espresso GoodWood Park

2010-05-28T23:24:00.018+08:00

One of my best buy for today is the straw hat from Uniqlo! It cost $9.90 only!

I am going to use it for my upcoming Krabi trip in July!

http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/dining-lespresso.htm

English Afternoon Tea
2pm – 5.30pm (Monday to Thursday)
(1st seating) 12noon – 2.30pm (Friday to Sunday & Public Holidays)
(2nd seating) 3pm – 5.30pm (Friday to Sunday & Public Holidays)

They are currently having a promotion from now till 30 June 2010. 1 dines free with every 3 paying adults valid from Mondays to Thursdays exclusively for UOB card members.

Overlooking the swimming pool and the colonial-inspired decoration.

The ambience is so relaxing and soothing~

Part of the drink menu.

The high tea comes with 2 free drinks for each pax. For the first round, Dear ordered the Earl Grey Flavoured Black Tea and I ordered the Vanilla Ceylon.

I love the english-style tea pots and tea cups!

The delicious Shrimps and Mango filled Crossaints is totally savory! I had two of it!

And it was my first time trying out the Foie Gras! I would say that it is very rich, sort of creamy in texture. The livery taste is there, but mild.

The selection of sandwiches is extensive with fillings ranging from tuna, ham and cheese, chicken, seafood, and etc.

The recommended creme brulee certainly lives up to its name!

It may be a little too sweet for those who do not have a sweet tooth~

One of the main attractions of the english afternoon tea is the desserts! The cakes were fluffy and yummy and it is not too sweet.

I wished I could have tried everything but some just deserved second helpings that I had to give some of the items a miss.

For the second round, Dear ordered the Hazelnut Coffee and I ordered the Ice Lemon Tea. The diversified types of teas and coffees makes me spoilt for choices!

Overall I have to say that it was a very pleasant experience dining there. Their service was pretty prompt. Our empty plates were collected efficiently & politely. And their staff always carry a smile on their face.

I'm also quite impressed with the overall quality of the buffet and I am giving them a two thumbs up!

I can't wait to go back again! But before that, I would like to try out others highly raved high tea buffet at different hotels!

Keisuke Ebi Ramen and Americaya at Parco Millenia Walk

2010-05-18T16:54:00.022+08:00

Parco is the newest addition to Millenia Walk and Marina Bay! They sell fashion pieces / accessories / footwear / skin care / make up and etc at level 1 and 2. The themed Japanese restaurants and supermarket are at level 3!

Love my new heels from Americaya at Parco Millenia Walk level 1! Their heels are not cheap but they are real comfty!

For dinner, we went to try out one of the themed Japanese restaurants - Keisuke Ebi Ramen.

It was actually an expensive "prawn noodles"!

Ebi Mayonnaise at $6.

Four small butterflied prawns is deep-fried and coated with mayonnaise.

Instead of standard bowls, the ramen comes in an severed tilted spheres on square black plates.

My Spicy Ebimiso Ramen with Wanton at $18.80.

Instead of the traditional collagen rich pork bones soup / miso based soup / shoyu based soup, this broth is made richly from the essence of prawns. It actually makes me feel like I am eating an expensive bowl of ''prawn noodles''.

The noodles were springy and tasty. One thing that I dislike about the soup is that they have added spring onions bits into it.

Dear's Ebi Ramen Ajitama at $16.80.

Both of us love the flavoured egg with an runny yolk in the center!

I have been wanting to try out the Ippudo Ramen at Mandarin Gallery upon hearing so many good reviews! Have anyone of you tried it before? ;)

Krabi and Phi Phi Island

2010-05-12T13:07:00.012+08:00

We are going for a 5D4N getaway to Krabi and Phi Phi island, Thailand from the 29th July to 2nd Aug 2010!!

Everything with Fries at Joo Chiat

2010-05-02T21:01:00.015+08:00

http://www.everythingwithfries.com/

We was worried that it might be crowded on a Sunday evening, we called to make reservations the day before, but we was told that no reservations was allowed on weekends. Luckily we didnt see any queues when we arrived.

The first thing that caught our eyes upon arriving was the white-washed walls and the blackboard menu. It gives a clean and minimalistic vibe.

Pick your mains. Choose your fries. Select your greens.

Main dishes ranges from burgers to sandwiches and to spaghetti. Fries come in the form of either shoestring or straightcut, and there are flavours such as original, curry, salt and vinegar, sour cream and onion or garlic and herbs. As for the greens, it’s a toss between caesar salad or coleslaw.

Our orders

Starters: One Egg Soup

Mains: Lamb Burger and Breaded Salmon

Desserts: Nutella Tart

One Egg Soup

Based on the name above, we know that the soup is prepared by using one egg. The egg white is souffled and the egg york is used to thicken the chicken broth.

This combination was interesting but the soup was a little bit salty!

My Lamb Burger

The lamb platter was a little too dry for my liking.

Dear's Breaded Salmon

The breaded salmon wasn’t overcooked and it is still pinkish raw in the middle. I could actually feel the salmon melt in my mouth!

Hot pipping fries, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Both of us preferred the sour cream and onions flavoured fries to the curry flavoured fries.

Nutella Tart

We found it abit sweet and definitely need to be shared. It will be better if we will to order a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream to balance the sweetness.

Driving past 'Everything with Fries'.

After dinner, we headed to Serangoon Garden Bistro Happy Daze Cafe to catch the soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Once again, we spotted another chic classic mini parked along the road side!

Old Airport Road and Vivocity

2010-04-11T15:22:00.005+08:00

The Muthu’s Flavors at 313 Somerset

2010-04-07T20:17:00.016+08:00

Indulging in good food and camwhoring galore with the girls!

Photo courtesy of Lynn and Diana

After dinner, we headed to Marina Square for shopping and here are the stuffs we had bought!

Carebear

2010-04-03T23:16:00.007+08:00

One of the craziest thing we have ever done is to.......

SHOP FOR CLOTHINGS FOR OUR CAREBEAR AT BABW PS!!

LOL!

Sushi in the making

2010-03-21T16:13:00.006+08:00

Inari and Maki Sushi

Chalk at Old School

2010-03-20T22:17:00.031+08:00

WE ARE F-O-U-R!!

Happy 4th Years Anniversary to Dear Dear!!

May there be many more happy years for us~

http://www.chalk.com.sg/

''Old School at Mount Sophia is one of the few places left in Singapore that exuberates an enchanting and undemanding atmosphere, out of the hustle and bustle of the city. It is a treasure trove and you never know when you might stumble across an arts exhibit or movie screening here. Chalk Restaurant does well too to blend into this serene setting and at the same time, promises patrons a gastronomic dining experience.''

''The chic ambience, not overly posh but with the feel of a mid-upper range restaurant. Lightings were dim which contributed to the relaxed and tranquil nature of the eatery. The kitchen has an open concept which allows patrons to marvel at the mastery of the chefs. There is also an extensive wine selection here with all the wine placed at a nice rustic corner of the restaurant for patrons to pick their poison.'

Old school

We spotted a chic Austin Cooper parked outside the Chalk Restaurant!

The daily specials were written on a portable blackboard and brought to our table by the waitress. She went through and introduced the menu board with us.

The complimentary bread was nice and warm.

For entree, we ordered the Deep Fried Prawns with Watermelon Salsa.

For mains, Dear ordered the Duck Confit. It was plump and juicy, served with Greens and Orange Potato Mash.

For mains, I ordered the Salmon Confit served with fruits. The salmon was very soft and each bite literally melted in my mouth. The fruits was refreshing but there were bits on onions mixed in though, which i did not like at all.

For desserts, we ordered the Passionfruit Souffle. It was really light and fluffy with moist innards. Make a hole in the centre and pour in the chilled Vanilla Anglaise to enjoy the smell and taste of passionfruit. It became very soft and creamy.

The Sticky Date Pudding was served with a side of Ginger Ice Cream. It was the most perfect combination. It was spongy and light and not overly sweet like most other sticky date puddings I've had .

We ended our dinner with Flat White Coffee and Cappuccino.

Overall, the service was good. the staff were very attentive and polite and they refilled our water quite often.

Thanks Dear for the treats!

We will be back to Old School soon to try out the food at Timbre, which was conveniently located opposite the Chalk!

15 Minutes Cafe at Lasalle College of Arts

2010-03-19T00:28:00.015+08:00

Friends. Food. Fame

Photos courtesy of Darren, Felicia, Ben and Karina

Driving License

2010-03-15T17:12:00.021+08:00

Today mark a very special day, a day when i can officially drive a manual / auto car!

I would like to take this time to offer my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation towards all my SSDC instructors for their guidance in assisting me to obtain my driving license successfully and equipping me with the necessary skills on the road.

Nakhon Kitchen at Hougang

2010-02-21T09:22:00.024+08:00

Nakhon Kitchen at Blk 212, Hougang Street 21, #01-341

It was quite a distance from Kovan MRT, located behind the bowling centre.

During our frequent drive passes, this small eatery always fetches a long waiting queue outside. Therefore, we were convinced that this was the real deal and we decided to pop by and give it a try today!

The shop is pretty small, but well organised. I reckon the maximum seating capacity would be about 40 pax. They start to distribute the menu and take orders when we are in the queue and the food is served rather quickly once we got the seat.

If you want to skip the waiting time, try coming earlier at 5.30pm - 6.30pm or 8.30pm onwards. By the way, they dont accept reservations at all.

While waiting for the food to be served.

Mango Salad

It was pretty refreshing and it comes with super spicy chilli padi.

Pineapple Rice with Pork Floss

The rice are very fragrant.

Kang Kong with Belacan

It looks oily, but there are no tinge of oil felt when we ate it.

Chicken with Cashew Nuts

Tender chunks of chicken surrounded by onions, mushrooms, greens, sweet soy sauce and of course the warm toasted thai cashew nuts.

Clear Seafood Tom Yam Soup

It is rich in flavour and the seafood are very fresh.

I was quite dissapointed with their Thai Iced Tea as I preferred it with a stronger tea taste and more milk. Nevertheless, it still does provides a much needed cooling aid to our spicy lips!

In conclusion, this place serve authentic thai food and it is really value for money with no GST and service charge. And they do provide free flow of iced water too.

It was definitely a gem in the heartlands!

Chinese New Year 2010

2010-02-15T10:24:00.015+08:00

Lion Dance at Dear's house on second day of Chinese New Year

River Hong Bao 2010 on the third day of Chinese New Year!

http://www.riverhongbao.sg/

The Muthu's Flavors at Dempsey Hill

2010-02-11T20:37:00.025+08:00

The Muthu’s Flavors; Dempsey latest restaurant featuring favourites from the North and South of India.

''Muthu’s Curry first opened in 1969 and now has two branches, at Race Course Road and Suntec City. Now, the veteran of Singapore’s Indian cuisine scene has opened The Muthu’s Flavors, with two restaurants that serve up the best of both worlds. It dishes up authentic flavours, presented in contemporary style.''

''The first outlet opened at trendy Dempsey Road in November 2009 and the second one has just opened at 313@Somerset on 25th January.''

The menu

http://muthuscurry.com/flash/content/menu.swf

The interior

Having fun while waiting for the food to be served.

Lady Finger Masala

Lady Finger cooked in a curry with a lingering flavour.

The Masala Chicken

A hearty dish of chicken cooked in a thick and spicy paste.

The Muthu’s Prawns

Fresh tiger prawns cooked in chillies, tomatoes and aromatic spices.

The famous Muthu’s Fish Head Curry served with ladies finger and pineapple chunks from aromatic spices.

After dinner, we headed to Ben & Jerry's for Ice Cream and Waffles!

Lina and I shared the Hot Belgain Waffles with Chocolate Macadamia and Vanilla Ice Cream topped with Whipped Cream and Colourful Sprinkles.

Hot Fudge Chocolate cake for Meifang!

May all your dreams and wishes will come true!

Have a very Happy Birthday!

Reunion Dinner Gatherings

2010-02-10T12:24:00.012+08:00

Hong kong Street Family Restaurant at Upper Thomson

with Shixing, Simin, Diana, Joycelyn and Lynn

So coincidence! Shixing and I wore the same pair of flats, but in different colours.

Mine in black, and hers in grey.

Lo Hei; Yusheng

We ordered Hotplate Tofu, Baby Kai Lan, Sweet and Sour Fish Slices and Prawn Paste Chicken.

Great food with cheap prices!

One of her wishes for this year is to find a boyfriend!

God of Wealth

May all HUAT in the coming Chinese New Year!

Red packets containing sweets and lucky numbers!

Group photos

The Manhattan Fish Market at Iluma

2010-02-08T16:12:00.008+08:00

Our second visit to The Manhattan Fish Market at Iluma

I love their Seafood Platter for two, especially their Cheezy Prawn and Fried Oyster!

Ramen Monster at Novena Square Velocity

2010-02-02T10:31:00.016+08:00

It was a open concept store with brightly coloured cartoons on the wall.

Both of us choose the Tonkotsu Ramen at $7.90. We top up another $3 for Gozya and free flow of Hot / Cold Green Tea or Ice Lemon Tea. As for the noodle choices are Kyushu thinner ramen or Hokkaido thicker ramen.

The Green Tea / Ice Lemon Tea was too dilute. It was almost tasteless!

They claimed that there is no MSG added, but the soup base are way too salty!

The Gozya are mediocre.

Homemade Strawberry Yogurt Ice-cream.

Overall, it was a quiet and cozy corner for dinner and catching up with friends.

Happiness in a Box!

Thanks Dear for the colourful Macarons from Gobi~

Bintan Lagoon Day 3

2010-01-23T12:53:00.011+08:00

Bintan Lagoon Day 3

(23-01-2010)

What a beautiful morning!

As usual, we started our third day with buffet breakfast at the Kopi-O restaurant.

After our heavy breakfast, we went back to our hotel room and start packing up.

Our shuttle bus to the ferry terminal is 12.45pm and the ferry to Singapore is 2pm.

Goodbye to Bintan Lagoon..

It was a relaxing and enjoyable trip!